Learn How Fair Trade USA Gives Back
Photo via https://blog.zoom.us
FT USA reports since 1998, farmers, workers, and fishermen have earned a total financial benefit of $740 million through sales of Fair Trade Certified products.
was established in 1998 by Paul Rice. He flew to Nicaragua in 1983 and recruited coffee farmers to sell their product on Fair Trade terms. The farmers loved the benefits they received, as their higher income allowed them to better their communities, and soon over 3000 families had joined Paul’s group. As soon as Paul returned to the US, he formally established his values into TransFair USA (now Fair Trade USA) in Oakland, California.
Fair Trade USA provides farmers, producers and workers, with job stability, living/legal wages, dignified work, and gender quality, among other strong social standards. In addition to these benefits, Fair Trade USA gives back in a big way by helping build communities, empowering all genders, protecting eco-systems and the environment.
Fair Trade Provides Additional Income
In 2003, Fair Trade Certified tea gave farmers in India, Sri Lanka, China and Vietnam over $85,000 in extra income. By 2007, retail sales of Fair Trade Certified products hit one billion dollars. Now, in 2019, producers gained over $551 million in additional income from Fair Trade, $380 million of that in premiums and $172 million from the Fair Trade Minimum price.
Fair Trade premiums are given directly to workers and farmers, allowing them to invest in their communities or use the money wherever they see fit. Funds are used to air condition primary schools in Sinaloa, Mexico, lower insurance costs for farmers in the United States, and provide scholarships, materials and buildings for schools in Jiangxi, China.
Fair Trade Minimum Price
The Fair Trade Minimum Price is set to act as a safety net to protect farmers and producers from fluctuating market prices that may dip too low to cover costs. In May, 2016, coffee fell to $1.20 per pound, but Fair Trade coffee farmers continued to receive $1.40 per pound, along with an addition .20 cents for community development and another .30 cents for organic product. This ensures farmers have enough funds to continue growing and improving their crops.
Fair Trade Empowerment
Fair Trade USA works with over 900,000 people in 45 different countries. Those who are involved in Fair Trade are empowered, encouraged and are able to grow their communities and farms tremendously.
Women are especially empowered because of Fair Trade practices. All workforce committees must accurately represent the workforce’s genders and ethnicities, therefore if half of the workforce is female, then at least half of the committee members must be female. Workers are asked if they feel like their voices are being heard and if they are respected to ensure all workers are treated equally and that all people are receiving the same respect and opportunities.
Photo via Fair Trade USA on Facebook and fairtradecertified.org
Photo via Fair Trade USA on Facebook and fairtradecertified.org
Consumers and Fair Trade
Photo via Fair Trade USA on Facebook and fairtradecertified.org
Since Fair Trade USA’s founding, American consumer awareness has skyrocketed. 63% of American shoppers recognize Fair Trade USA’s seal, and 65% of shoppers say they trust products more that are certified by Fair Trade USA. Fair Trade USA gives back to consumers by providing them with quality, trusted products that consumers can feel good about purchasing.
When it comes to millennials, 75% say it’s important to purchase Fair Trade products, and 50% look for proof when a company says it is socially or environmentally responsible.
Look for the Fair Trade USA label the next time you are shopping!
Learn more about Fair Trade USA by visiting their website here: https://www.fairtradecertified.org
Citations:
“Fair Trade Certified.” Fair Trade Certified, 2019, www.fairtradecertified.org/.
Gallant’s Involvement with Fair Trade USA
Gallant’s products are manufactured at a Fair Trade Certified factory. This means that the workers who make our products are given Fair Trade’s social protections and held to their environmental standards. Workers in our factory receive a living/legal wage, Fair Trade premiums and gender equality, and safe working conditions. Child labor is strictly prohibited, and the supply chain must be completely transparent, along with many additional benefits.
Gallant is proud to make GOTS Certified organic cotton, Fair Trade Certified wholesale tote bags, custom aprons, tea towels bulk, and cosmetic bags wholesale. Your purchase from Gallant International provides individual farmers and workers as well as communities with extra income and benefits they need to thrive.
